Ephesians 1:4

Election – chosen in Christ before the Creation

Introduction

This is one passage which some preachers might like to avoid. Some congregations prefer not to face difficult passages, and expect the preacher to solve all difficulties. The last thing they want to hear is that they must accept this despite the problems, because it is in the Bible. Dealing with God and His truth, bound to be some things our limited human minds cannot grasp. Preaching through Ephesians, the preacher soon faces the difficult subject of election – God’s choosing men for salvation.

It is a topic which has always made congregation angry. Led to bitter pamphlet wars between Augustus Toplady and John Wesley. One described the other as “an old fox who should be tarred and feathered”. Spurgeon said he had seen men bite lips and grind teeth in rage over this topic. I have known people interrupt a bible study, unable to keep their peace over the subject. Someone who was later to become a great evangelist and Keswick preacher wrote of how at first he “boiled with indignation” on hearing this passage expounded, for he could not accept this teaching of the Bible. Later he realized “that all credit for salvation was in the gracious loving God who laid hold of me long before I dreamt of laying hold of him. My indignation was replaced by gratitude.”

Yet it is a truth that was held by Reformers, great preachers, evangelists, founders of modern missionary movements, and is contained in great Protestant confession of faith. Spurgeon said he remembered the very day when these truths burnt into his heart with a hot iron. He felt he had suddenly grown from a babe into a man because he had found clue to truth of God. Once accepted, rarely given up.

We are going to look at this truth – with fear and trembling. There are dangers of saying too little in the allotted time, aware of misunderstandings that can be left behind. Must be handled with care and prudence. Deeply aware of need to approach it properly and with right spirit. Not in argumentative and partisan spirit, not with heat or bitterness, but humbly and reverently. Our minds must be submissive to Scripture, and not lead us to pry where Scripture does not lead us. Limitations of human logic inevitably means that some things in the mind of God will remain a great mystery. We tread on holy ground.

We will first state the doctrine, then look at some of the problems associated with it, and then take comfort from the doctrine.

Statement of Doctrine of Election

He chose us in him (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:4). Then links love with predestination in v.5.

Before we were born, and before creation, God the Father chose us to belong to Christ, to be His people that we might be forgiven and redeemed, and belong to Him, bearing His holy character, in a loving relationship with Him. We are where we are because of God’s eternal purposes. Ruined in the Fall, in rebellion against Him, under His wrath, helpless to save ourselves. But the Father gave us to the Son to be saved and to be like Him. He determined to make us His own through Christ.

For some people there is no problem here. God foresaw that one day we would choose Him, and so He chose us. If only it was as simple as that. This explanation empties the idea of God choosing of any meaning, and Paul would never have written Romans 9 if all could be explained away as if no problem at all. Gives all glory to man.

Just as God chose Israel, and none of the surrounding nations, not because of anything worthy in them, but because of His own grace and own sake alone, so He chose the people who formed the Christian church, the New Israel. Interesting fact that the people who object to election or choosing of Christians never object to choosing of the Jews.

Election shows us that salvation is totally of grace from first to last – humbles men to dust – which is one reason why it is so unpopular a doctrine. Not a truth which any man would have dreamt up. From God’s revelation alone. It might not be palatable, but it is scriptural, and it is reinforced in other places. All the Father gives me will come to me (John 6:37). As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed (Acts 13:48). By grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourself; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). For God made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Faith if God’s gift, and not man’s contribution.

We are merely clay, He is the potter. Clay in the potter’s hand. Clay does not control the potter. We are in God’s hands, He is not in ours, though we think He is, and treat Him sometimes as if we can pick Him up and put Him down when we like. My thoughts are not your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). How unsearchable are his judgements and his ways past finding out (Romans 11:33).

This has baffled the greatest minds over the last 2000 years. But what is a mystery to our minds becomes clearer to us in our experience when we see these things working out in lives. Born in land where Gospel is known, born of Godly parents, brought up in church under the sound of the Gospel, heard witness of person, read certain book – how did this all happen to you? Good luck? Mere chance? Why am I any different? Yes Father, for this was your good pleasure (Matthew 11:26). The Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes (Psalm 118:23).

Spurgeon was once in a church, his mind wandering. “How did you become a Christian?” “I sought the Lord?” “But how did you seek the Lord?” “Not have done so unless mind influenced so to do.” Trace it all back and back – end up with God. Head may not believe it, but heart says “If God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him”. Your troops will be willing on your day of battle (Psalm 110:3).

Those who are furthest from God before conversion have no problem believing this. Those well on the road to destruction have no doubt that, but for the grace of God, left to their own devices, they would have ended up there.

“Free grace alone from first to last

Has won my affection and held my soul fast”

H.D.Brown, “I believed these truths theoretically when reading Spurgeon’s sermons. I believed these truths practically when I saw the depravity of my own heart, my hatred and refusal of Him.” [unclear where quotation ends] More we are aware of sinfulness, the more these truths become realities for us. Never have chosen Him if He not chosen us, and worked powerfully in our lives to bring us to Himself.

Some of the problems and questions arising

(a) Can you live as you like then?

Not at all. Election is to salvation and holiness of life. If person not interested in holiness and God’s will, proof he is not elect.

(b) “Not fair”, says unbeliever

But do you want to be saved, delivered from sin, and live a holy life? Not at all – prefer life as it is and living for self. So God is merely giving you what you want – why are you objecting because He draws others to salvation which you do not want any way?

(c) What about texts like God who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:4), and The Lord .. not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), and I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked , but rather that they turn from their ways and live (Ezekiel 33:11)?

These verses mean exactly what they say. They express God’s benevolence and compassion towards us. But not decreed that these things take place. Just as God wishes all to be happy and healthy, but they are not, still He does not work a miracle to ensure these things. John 3: 16 – Whosoever will – universal term to invite indiscriminately all to partake of life and cuts off every excuse from unbelievers. Invites all men without exception. All men are given a sincere invitation to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Death of Christ is sufficient for your need, suitable and applicable to you. Atonement of infinite value.

If you come to Him you will be immediately and warmly received. The one who comes to me I will by no means cast out (John 6:37). Lament of Jesus You are not willing to come to me that you may have life (John 5:40). “All glory to God in salvation; all blame to man in damnation”. If saved, God has all glory – thanks to electing grace. If lost, own fault. You deliberately and definitely and freely turned down sincere offer. Not understand. Not fit together logically. But both are in the Bible. Above all we must be Bible Christians, and not System Christians.

Spurgeon summarized his preaching, “I preach salvation all of grace and damnation all of sin. Give God all glory for every soul saved, but God is not to be blamed for those who are damned. If you perish, you perish at your own hands.” “Who am I that I should be everlastingly consistent with myself?” “I have never set up to be an explainer of all difficulties”.

(d) This truth hinders prayer and evangelism

Why pray and evangelize if we believe in election? Because God has ordained the means as well as the end. Prayer, preaching of the Word, and evangelism are the ordained means by which the elect are gathered. Motive power to evangelize is incalculable. Great majority of evangelists have held this truth and it has given them great zeal. George Whitefield – greatest open-air evangelist; C.H.Spurgeon – greatest preacher since apostolic times; William Carey – founder of modern missionary work: all were motivated by this truth. Examine any revival and see these great truths come to surface at once.

Secret of perseverance in evangelism. If all finally depend on men, might as well despair and give up. But if it true that All whom the Father has given to the Son will come, then we can go forward with confidence and assurance. When Paul faced opposition in Corinth, he received a vision Do not be afraid but speak.. I am with you.. for I have many people in this city (Acts 18:9,10)

Election is one guarantee that prayer and evangelism are not in vain and that God’s Word will not return unto Him void, but it will accomplish what he pleases (Isaiah 55:11). We might well faint and give up and close our doors, but for this truth.

(e) Will not believe it because cannot understand it

Then will not be believing very much. Do you fully understand God? Do you understand how the Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man in one person? Do you understand the Trinity, one God revealed in three persons? Do you understand how Christ, in reckoning of God, bore sins before born or had committed one sin? Understand inspiration of Bible? Or new birth? Or second coming? The answer is we do not understand because we have pygmy minds. We do not fully understand, but we believe because it is Scriptural. And for same reason we should accept this doctrine of election.

Comfort of this doctrine

Will we miss anything if we question and cavil at this doctrine or just ignore it? 17^th Article – full of sweet, pleasant and unspeakable comfort to Godly persons. The God we worship is set forth in His glory and power and majesty. God of glory and of grace from first to last. Not a “nice and kind” God, with good intentions but cannot carry them out because always frustrated by men and the Devil getting in the way. Rather, this doctrine confirms:

“God ruleth on high, Almighty to save” (Charles Wesley)

Puts us in our place. Strips us naked. We are where we are solely because of God’s sovereign grace and free choice. Makes God everything and man nothing. Deeply humbling. And so contrary to the spirit of this age. Yet how it fills the soul with gratitude:

“Why, O Lord, such love for me?”

Leads to the kind of fear and reverence for God which has produced highest kind of Christian character. Cf. Puritans in England, Covenanters in Scotland, Huguenots in France – all those of whom the world was not worthy. Highest character. Most honest and illustrious, God-fearing and tenacious, and lovers of freedom. Many of the liberties we now enjoy have come through these men. Prepared to stand against tyrants. Made men strong, confident in God’s power. Lost fear of men and devil, put iron in the blood. Men no longer bend like willows, but strong and firm like oaks. Bold and fearless in face of enemies. Not afraid to suffer and die. Ranks of martyrs of Reformation were from those who were most clearly persuaded of this truth. They triumphed over the world and opinions of men.

Absolute assurance of salvation. Chosen, saved and sanctified, therefore can never be lost. Chosen to be saved. Sure that God will without fail carry out His purpose. Will arrive safely at Father’s house. My sheep will never perish, neither will any one pluck them out of my hand (John 10:28). Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38,39).

The prospect would be terrible if it depended on self and own decision. Ultimately, it is not my hold of Him, but His hold of me that counts.

Conclusion

“Am I elect or not?”, we ask. Never mind that question. Begin by asking another – have you come to Christ, and if not, will you come to Christ? This is the thing to be concerned with now. Need to learn the alphabet before we can go on to great works of literature. Make positive response here, and then later looking back your coming to Christ will be seen to be all of grace.

“I sought the Lord, and afterwards I knew,

He moved my soul to seek him seeking me;

It was not I who found, O Saviour true,

No I was found of Thee”

Finally, lest there be any misunderstanding, and there might be someone who longs to be saved but feels there is no hope – to end with wise words of J.C.Ryle – “Election should never be stated boldly without reminding hearers of Christ’s willingness to receive and save all who come to Him.” True that none comes to Him except those drawn by the Father (John 6:44), but “if you have not been drawn, pray to Him that you may be drawn” (Augustine).